Mid-Century Merges with Contemporary Design

Page designed the custom luxury mid-century modern residence gracing the July cover of Houston Lifestyles & Homes magazine. Initially, the project was a restoration of a mid-century home in a pioneering Houston neighborhood known for its important examples. Unfortunately, the house had major structural problems, so the decision was made to demolish and build new.

While the existing house was donated to Habitat for Humanity, the architect salvaged some of the materials so that they could be utilized in the new house as a way to pay homage to its original designer, the late Wylie Vale. 

The vision for the new home was that it should be contemporary with lots of natural light. The must-haves included a very open design on a single floor; and utilization of nontraditional materials for residential construction.

Neighborhood deed restrictions presented significant design challenges, including the requirement for a two-story, traditional residential design facing well-known Kirby Drive which is lined with grand homes. Additionally, required setbacks significantly reduced the buildable area. 

Referring to neighboring mid-century modern houses as precedent, Page demonstrated to the the River Oaks Architectural Control Committee the appropriateness of the planned scale of height and contextual design of materials and details, which resulted in a first-ever approval of a new contemporary and smaller one-story house.

By River Oaks standards, the home is small at only approximately 4,000 square feet, yet the architectural instincts were on point. In 2014, this home won a design award from the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA).

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